Will Debbie Be Dumped?

Daniel Halper

September 5, 2012 12:05 AM

Are there no consequences for lying? Even on national television?

Earlier today, Philip Klein reported that DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said this: “We know, and I’ve heard no less than Ambassador Michael Oren say this, that what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel.”

Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to America, released a statement saying that Wasserman Schultz was wrong. “I categorically deny that I ever characterized Republican policies as harmful to Israel. Bipartisan support is a paramount national interest for Israel, and we have great friends on both sides of the aisle,” said Oren in a statement.

So in a TV appearance this evening, Wasserman Schultz was asked about these events. But instead of acknowledging her misstatement, the DNC chair attacked the reporter who quoted her.

“I didn’t say he said that,” Wasserman Schultz said. “And unfortunately, that comment was reported by a conservative newspaper. It’s not surprising they would deliberately misquote me. What I always say is that unfortunately the Republicans have made Israel a political football, which is dangerous for Israel. And Ambassador Oren has said that we can’t ever suggest that there is any daylight between the two parties on Israel because there isn’t. And that that’s harmful to Israel. That’s what I said, and that is accurate.”

But in fact, Klein has proof that Wasserman Schultz did say what Klein reported. Here's the audio:

So: Debbie Wasserman Schultz lied on national TV. And she did so while impugning the character of the reporter (Klein) who quoted her accurately. And she appears to have been lying about what an ambassador allegedly told her in private—which she then repeated for apparent political gain.

We're all used to politicians exaggerating, misstating, and the like. But being caught in flat out lies? Won't the Obama campaign—which, it's been widely reported, is none too fond of Wasserman Schultz in the first place—decide it's time for Debbie to go?